Hardwood: ways of use

Hardwood: ways of use

Wood is a natural, versatile, sustainable and renewable resource that makes it the world's widest usable raw material, in both industry and households. Due to the low transport cost the export of hardwood is nowadays possible to other countries even to other continents.
In order to eliminate some confusion that may arise with regard to wood types, we mention that the trees are divided into two distinct categories - hardwood and softwood, hence two types of wood: hardwood and softwood. The classification criterion is the way the trees multiply. Hardwood trees multiply by through seeds (found inside a fruit or covered by a protective structure). With softwood, the seeds are found in a formation called cone, which, when mature, releases the seeds. With few exceptions, deciduous wood is dense and rough while the softwood is lighter and softer. Another feature that distinguishes hardwoods is that they lose leaves during winter while the softwoods keep them throughout the year.

From the deciduous category are the oak, walnut, beech, mahogany, ash, cherry, maple, and from the category of softwoods we mention fir, spruce, cedar and pine. The hardwood trees grow slower and for longer, thus explaining why they are more precious and expensive. A peculiarity of hardwood is in its pores, whose design can be appreciated after finishing.

The use of hardwood

Construction, carpentry, finishing, furniture

This material is appreciated for the resistant structure, density and natural finish. As it is tougher, denser and more resistant, deciduous wood is used especially in the manufacture of high-quality furniture, hardwood flooring, decking, stairs and durable constructions. Almost any type of furniture can be made of wood and combined with various other materials, including glass, marble or leather. Also, the hardwood timber can be sawn for obtaining different construction elements for home and garden.

Heating

Wood heating is a viable option and a frequent choice among the environmentally concerned people. The explanation is the following: wood heating is pollution-neutral and wood smoke does not contribute to global warming. Fossil fuels release large quantities of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, while wood-burning does not cause a net increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The amount released during burning is equivalent to that absorbed by a tree in its lifetime. More precisely, about half of the wood's carbon content has been absorbed by a tree from the atmosphere in its lifetime. When burned, carbon is released faster but is the same amount. In other words, by heating homes based on wood, we contribute to the natural carbon circuit: in the atmosphere, in the forest, and vice-versa.
An ecological method of heating houses is the compost bio plant, used in many households and farms all over the world. The basic material for compost is chopped hardwood. An ecological heating solution (thermal power stations based on wood for blocks of flats, individual dwellings), especially in areas where gas is not available, is the use of pellets as fuel. Their composition includes wood chips, vegetable